Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design

The Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design was established through a generous gift under the will of the late Dr. Virginia S. Cooper of Toronto who died on August 27, 2006. The award is to be given "For the Love of Creation".

Dr. Cooper served as a director of the Tarragon Theatre, and was a charter woman member of the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto and active in its activities.  She had a keen interest in the performing arts, particularly in costume design, and was working on a book titled "Pins and Needles", which featured some of the dresses that her mother, Myrtle Cooper, designed and made for her.

The award will be given annually to professional Canadian costume designers in Ontario in mid-career to further enrich their careers through research and travel.  To date the selection process for the awards has been administered by the Ontario Arts Council at the request of the Foundation.

Current Recipient
2009    Charlotte Dean

Past Recipients
2008    Michael Gianfrancesco
2007    Judith Bowden